The Public Deserves to See the Trash Outsourcing Report

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Art generated by AI following author's prompt: Report locked in safe The Enfield Town Council is considering a consequential issue: outsourcing our public works trash removal service. However, the town has not released the consultant's report, which likely examines the pros and cons of such a move, even as the Council begins its budget deliberations. The town council authorized the hiring of the consultants in November, 2024. On April 7, 2025, the Town Council discussed the report in executive session. I submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for a report copy this week. The Town Manager's office responded that the report is still in draft format and is not eligible for public disclosure under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act. I was also told: "The contract has not provided us a completion date at this time." That means the report could be withheld from the public indefinitely. Draft is not an automatic exemption This was my response: "My un...

WHY do stores bother with one-way signs? Because large numbers of people ignore them

 


So I'm trying to understand why one way signs in grocery stores are increasingly ignored. I post on Enfield's Facebook page raising this question and wait for the responses. Here is a summary of the main arguments: 

1. “The virus isn’t that communicable. It’s been overstated.” 

2. “I am not a sheep.” 

3. “If six feet apart works, why the mask?” 

4. “Some people don’t pay attention to the signs.” 

The only one I get is 4. People do blank, don't notice, are pre-occupied etc. Following directional signs in a grocery store isn't in their DNA. 

The rest of the reasons are mostly nonsense. People reach their own reasons for rejecting the science, or view it -- the sheep comments -- are imperial overreach by the federal virus storm troopers. 

I think we’re all reaching a point where the virus is in our collective rear view mirror, and that’s in part due to the decent job we did in this state to bring it under control. But until this thing goes away, or treatment or vaccine arrives, we still got a problem.

I do see elderly people in the stores. They can’t afford the home delivery (it really adds to the costs) and they may not have the support, friends or relatives, who can shop for them. I watch some of the and they can be super cautious. There’s others like that as well who really try to avoid others. For many, there's a still a real fear.

Even if you have strong objections, don’t see the point and don’t have the time or interest to follow the arrows, at least be careful around those who are uniquely vulnerable because of age. It’s just being polite. There’s nothing wrong with doing that and it's so simple.
Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA

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